A landmark history of New York; also the origin of street names and a bibliography . s than one century has passed andnearly every inch of ground is now covered with itspile of brick and mortar. In 1814, while the war with England was inprogress, K^ew York was thrown into a fever of ex-citement by a rumor that the Island of Manhattanwas to be invaded by the British. As usual, the de-fenses were poor and few. Clinton issued a stirringaddress to the people, asking their help to completethe unfinished fortifications. Four days later threethousand persons were at work; and even the news-papers sus
A landmark history of New York; also the origin of street names and a bibliography . s than one century has passed andnearly every inch of ground is now covered with itspile of brick and mortar. In 1814, while the war with England was inprogress, K^ew York was thrown into a fever of ex-citement by a rumor that the Island of Manhattanwas to be invaded by the British. As usual, the de-fenses were poor and few. Clinton issued a stirringaddress to the people, asking their help to completethe unfinished fortifications. Four days later threethousand persons were at work; and even the news-papers suspended publication, so that their men mighthelp. Among the enthusiastic volunteers were— Plumbers, founders, dyers, tinners, tanners, shavers,Sweeps, clerks and criers, jewelers, , drapers, players, cartnien, hatters, nailers,Gangers, sealers, weighers, carpenters, and sailors. A LANDMARK HISTORY OF NEW YORK 177 In short, every one who could handle a pick ora sjDade, or carry earth on a shingle, did so. Suchwas Kew Yorks display of patriotic spirit, and every. Map of McGowans Pass and Forts Fish and Clinton. Copied froma chart of 1814. 178 A LANDMARK HISTORY OF NEW YORK lad wlio was able to slioiilder a musket offered hisservices. The JSTarrows and Hell Gate were pro-tected, and all the hills on the island bristled withearthworks and cannon. There are some interesting landmarks of thisperiod in Central Park and just beyond it, which Inow purpose showing* you, said the professor. We were always ready for an excursion, andeagerly accompanied our guide to the site of McGow-ans Pass, which we remembered as an important fea-ture of Revolutionary days. This vicinity was particularly well fortified,began the professor. As the map shows you, therewas a fort on either side of the pass, the two beingconnected by a line of breastworks. Would youlike to see the site of one of these works—PortClinton? There was an immediate assent. The professor, acting on his suggest
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjecthistori, bookyear1901
